Letters to the editor: 9/29

GOP content to hold country hostage

"What did you do at work today, honey?"

"Oh, the boys and I are making plans to prevent 48 million Americans from getting health insurance. Please pass the salt."

"But, haven't you tried that more than 40 times already since you passed it? And you know the election and the Supreme Court seemed to validate allowing those people a doctor now and then. And remember, too much salt is bad for your blood pressure."

"Yeah, but this time we're going to close down the country, default on fiscal obligations and drive the economy into a ditch if they don't defund Obamacare. We got the idea from Republican National Convention Chairman Reince Preibus, when he told NBC he would bar them from covering primary debates if they broadcast a Hillary Clinton documentary. More butter please."

"What about a free press, and holding the country hostage sounds like blackmail or extortion? Didn't Newt Gingrich try something like that? Honey, he lost his job! And you know the doctor said to cut the butter."

"Well, I guess you know what your doing, but I'm limiting your steak."

"That reminds me - we're also going to cut $40 billion from the 47 million Americans depending on food stamps."

Brian Tervenski

Poughkeepsie

Health care should be available to everyone

The House of Representatives has tried to defund Obamacare 41 times. Speaker of the House John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor say, "Americans are tired of seeing their government continue to spend more and more of their hard earned tax dollars" on something so frivolous.

This was said about Social Security and Medicare. Those social programs have been the salvation of so many. The Affordable Health Care Act will become an indispensable asset and that is why "they" want to defund it - Congress is being held hostage by the Tea Party. Once we learn how valuable it will be, we, the American people, will not want to give it up; nor should we.

The facts are self-evident. Everyone should have health care. Everyone should contribute. Those who cannot contribute will be subsidized. The fact is that those who don't pay today are subsidized by those who do pay. The fact is that insurance companies can no longer exclude those who have pre-existing conditions. The fact is that there no longer will be a "cap" on the dollars spent per person. The fact is that insurance companies must spend 80 percent of premiums on health services. The fact is that, as the paying pool enlarges, it will help control escalation of the price of health care.

The fact is that health care will not be cheap. Costs will continue to increase as more and more advanced technologies keep us alive longer. Health care anyone?

Marie Pagano

Hyde Park

Blame Democrats if government shuts down

Obamacare must be defunded until it applies equally to all. We cannot support it until there's equality in its administration. It cannot be forced upon a few and leave others exempted. If the president, Congress and others can opt out, perhaps it's not an acceptable plan. If it's not good for them, it's not good for me. Defunding Obamacare doesn't stop the government from running, unless the Democrats want it to stop, and only until everyone gets on board. Too many sectors now want out, showing that something is wrong.

Shutdowns have happened before and the country has survived. The Republicans or conservatives won't shut this country down - it'll be the Chuck Schumers, Kirsten Gillibrands, Harry Reids and Dianne Feinsteins, because they won't accept that this bill is fraught with problems. The House has given the Democratic Senate an option to fund the government until acceptable changes can be made to the health care bill, without exemptions. But, the Senate and president choose to continue dividing this country to save face from their defeat on gun control and immigration. They don't care about what's best for the country and restoring faith in government.

This administration is adept at deflecting responsibility; this is one time it should be very clear who's at fault. The Senate and the president have received an offer that'll continue to fund the government. It also allows time to rectify the health care plan to become something everyone can accept. If they refuse, the shutdown lies squarely on their shoulders.

Tony Cutolo

Dover Plains

Gibson's behavior is unconscionable

U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, has voted to shut down the government if President Obama does not give up the Affordable Care Act!

This petulant act is unworthy of a mature adult and is surely not representative of a majority of his constituency.

He enjoys a "Cadillac" health care plan as a congressman, but is unwilling to give less affluent people the opportunity to purchase their health care at a more reasonable price and is willing to cause great national harm to get his way. This is unconscionable behavior.

Paul Case

Pleasant Valley

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Letters to the editor: 9/29

GOP content to hold country hostage'What did you do at work today, honey?''Oh, the boys and I are making plans to prevent 48 million Americans from getting health insurance. Please pass the salt.